Month: <span>April 2019</span>

Between the time somebody comes up with an idea for a new product and the second it finally arrives in the hands of the consumer, there are a myriad of operations that take place. Supply chain professionals are involved in every part of the production and sales process, and in many cases, multiple companies must work together to ensure satisfactory production and timely delivery of the finished goods. The raw materials suppliers need to work with the manufacturing plants, who in turn must communicate with warehouses and distributors, who then need to coordinate shipping and delivery schedules with brokers and carriers. This is, of course, a greatly simplified breakdown of the process, but it shows how important it is to cultivate strong, reliable partnerships in every level of supply chain management.

Without strong relationships between different companies involved in logistics processes, communication often falters, leading to production delays, maintenance problems, and missed deliveries. By working together to tackle these problems and come up with a common goal, organizations can set realistic expectations and prepare each other for any potential problems. This means that manufacturers should tell their carriers their schedules ahead of time, and carriers in turn should be straightforward about their capabilities and potential time restraints. When a strong relationship has grown between these companies, it is far easier to understand each other’s nuances and collaborate ahead of time to eliminate delays.

At Zip Xpress we firmly believe in forming long-term, transparent partnerships with both our partners. By treating every professional relationship with care, understanding, and an open-mind, we can work together with our partners to provide a seamless supply chain experience for all parties involved. This helps every organization to grow and makes for a respectful, enjoyable working environment. In an industry as fast-paced and busy as logistics, we believe that this helps us stand out in a large crowd of transportation providers. We provide the dedication and customer care to all of the freight which comes through our doors. To see how we can handle your freight in our partnership, start today with Zip Xpress!

The world of logistics is exciting, fast-paced, and, to the dismay of many, often wildly unpredictable. A shipper may have no problem securing trucks to haul their freight on a daily basis for weeks at a time, but one day, seemingly out of nowhere, they may find that the pool of available equipment has quickly dried up and that rates have skyrocketed. There are a variety of factors that can affect capacity in different markets, including produce season, changes in the construction industry, and even weather patterns. While shippers can try to plan for some of these spikes and lulls in capacity, it is impossible to predict these with 100% accuracy. That’s why creating a partnership with a reliable carrier can go a long way in alleviating the stress of market volatility.

Strategic Partnerships don’t just lock in rates for a specified period of time – they also guarantee an agreed upon level of capacity and service. When shippers and carriers enter into a partnership, they create a symbiotic relationship where both companies rely upon and respect each other. There is a team mentality between the two that helps to not only improve communication but also increase dependability and predictability. Rather than relying only on transactional relationships and often shuffling at the last minute to find a truck, securing a reliable carrier partner helps a shipper to better plan their production schedule and stay within their budget.

Zip Xpress places a strong emphasis on partnering with our customers. These partnerships allow us to provide the highest level of service and to develop long-term strategies that help to keep the supply chain running smoothly. By partnering with Zip Xpress, you can expect total dedication and high levels of customer service on every shipment, while eliminating much of the volatility and unpredictability that occurs in the spot market. If you are interested in learning more about how we can improve your shipments, start today with Zip Xpress!

Certain organizations require complex, highly-involved supply chains in order to perform at their highest level. Think of multi-billion dollar big box retailers, international electronics manufacturers, and even the US Army. All of these institutions call for a heavily layered supply chain operation with hundreds or even thousands of employees who all play different but significant roles. For these large, high-revenue firms, an agile, complex supply chain makes perfect sense. However, most small or midsize companies should not try to emulate these large conglomerates, even if they have their sights set on being the next billion-dollar enterprise.

Companies shipping thousands of loads from hundreds of warehouses on a daily basis absolutely need to have a large, diversified supply chain. However, most manufacturers aren’t in need of a massive, diversified supply chain with dozens of employees to manage a complex operation. Oftentimes it’s best for manufacturers shipping 2 or 3 daily truckloads from a single warehouse to achieve success and maximize efficiency by employing a single carrier to provide customized solutions. Working with such an experienced carrier can help keep your operation lean, clean up communication and reduce redundancies wherever possible.

The same can be said for technology systems and even physical space required to run a manufacturing operation. Walmart does itself a favor when it invests in the newest technology and implements expensive systems throughout the organization. However, a smaller shipper may not need to spend the money on a program that can analyze thousands of truckloads a day when the shipping manager already has a firm grasp on the performance. Likewise, consolidating all operations from multiple warehouses into a single central location may make more sense for a smaller firm that is spending too much money on transfers between plants.

At Zip Xpress, we understand how to provide the best service in finding the right supply chain for your business. We understand all of the nuances in the supply chain with our team of professional experts and can partner with you to build the perfect system for your needs. Ultimately, every organization has different logistics requirements, and to help you find yours, start today with Zip Xpress!